What happens in MCPS (and others) if your child does not do the homework,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[
http://www.nea.org/tools/16938.htm
.

How Much Is Appropriate?

The National PTA recommendations fall in line with general guidelines suggested by researcher Harris Cooper: 10-20 minutes per night in the first grade, and an additional 10 minutes per grade level thereafter (e.g., 20 minutes for second grade, 120 minutes for twelfth). High school students may sometimes do more, depending on what classes they take (see Review of Educational Research, 2006).


What are the benefits?

Homework usually falls into one of three categories: practice, preparation, or extension. The purpose usually varies by grade. Individualized assignments that tap into students' existing skills or interests can be motivating. At the elementary school level, homework can help students develop study skills and habits and can keep families informed about their child's learning. At the secondary school level, student homework is associated with greater academic achievement. (Review of Educational Research, 2006)

What’s good policy?

Experts advise schools or districts to include teachers, parents, and students in any effort to set homework policies. Policies should address the purposes of homework; amount and frequency; school and teacher responsibilities; student responsibilities; and, the role of parents or others who assist students with homework.

Mr. Cooper is vague when he discusses the elementary level students. He admits that they are not sure what the benefits of homework are at that level. I wish that someone could do a proper study and end the debate. Many kids free time is at risk . I would hate to know that all the homework amounts to nothing in the end.

[Anonymous]

Oh for crying out loud. There's not really going to be rigorous science backing up these kind of time recommendations. We don't even have rigorous science backing up basic math instruction and curriculum in the elementary schools

Why not? We went to the moon over 40 years ago, is a valid study such a difficult concept or task to perform?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Oh for crying out loud. There's not really going to be rigorous science backing up these kind of time recommendations. We don't even have rigorous science backing up basic math instruction and curriculum in the elementary schools

Why not? We went to the moon over 40 years ago, is a valid study such a difficult concept or task to perform?

ITA. The money that is being spent and waste while we play guessing games is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Oh for crying out loud. There's not really going to be rigorous science backing up these kind of time recommendations. We don't even have rigorous science backing up basic math instruction and curriculum in the elementary schools

Why not? We went to the moon over 40 years ago, is a valid study such a difficult concept or task to perform?

Apparently so! Or else no one really cares about the issue that much.

It probably is very heard to measure the effect of "homework" because we don't, as a nation, have a common curriculum, or a common agreement as to what type of homework shoud be assigned. (Basic facts? Problem solving? Cut and paste and color? Different homework will result in different results.)

[Anonymous]

If no one cares why all this angst? I say let households and families decide for themselves what's good for their own children. Work at their home is none of our business. It'll save lots of money and minds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Homework is no more than 10% of the student's grade.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/grading/

Keep in mind, however, that your son's after school activities should not be an excuse - especially when he reaches the upper grades - b/c much of the homework assigned (esp. in honors, AP or IB courses) are more than just reinforcement.

Actually what that says is that "homework for practice or preparation counts for no more than 10%. It goes on to say that homework can be assessed for learning mastery and applied to the rest of the grade.

The way I read it, math problem sets -- no more than 10%, but that history paper can be as much as they want it to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Homework is no more than 10% of the student's grade.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/grading/

Keep in mind, however, that your son's after school activities should not be an excuse - especially when he reaches the upper grades - b/c much of the homework assigned (esp. in honors, AP or IB courses) are more than just reinforcement.

Actually what that says is that "homework for practice or preparation counts for no more than 10%. It goes on to say that homework can be assessed for learning mastery and applied to the rest of the grade.

The way I read it, math problem sets -- no more than 10%, but that history paper can be as much as they want it to be.

Hence, the one hour homework nights for fourth graders.

[Anonymous]

The good thing about homework is we get to engage in what they are learning. I love to make learning part of life. Math is used in everything we do. Fractions are part of cooking and % are best taught at a sale. Public speaking at the dinner table and storytelling in the car always offers up an opportunity to teach a writing or reading skill. Enjoy the communication and let your children know how impressed you are with their progress.